Plasma vs. BEC
Most people have heard of the more common states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. Fewer people know that there are actually more states of matter, including the fourth and fifth states: plasma and the Bose-Einstein Condensate, or BEC. The plasma and Bose-Einstein Condensate states of matter, while having some similarities, are two completely different forms of matter and connect with the Kinetic Molecular Theory in differing ways.
Plasma is the fourth state of matter. It’s a fluid, gas-like substance that consists of a mixture of free electrons, neutral atoms, and charged ions. It is made up of both positively and negatively charged particles, which contributes to plasma’s ability to react to and create electromagnetic forces. Since they create electromagnetic forces, the particles in plasma must move collectively or in an organized fashion. The particles in a plasma are usually extremely hot and rapid-moving. Many man-made plasmas are a part of our everyday lives, such as neon signs and even fluorescent light bulbs, but there are also naturally-occurring plasmas. Plasma particles from the sun are pulled near the magnetic poles, and then energize the particles in the upper atmosphere to produce the “Northern Lights”. Another example of a natural plasma is the stars or Sun, both of which are made up of plasma. One of the lesser-known states of matter is the Bose-Einstein Condensate. In this state, atoms have very little energy and are extremely cold, due to the fact that BECs occur near a temperature just above absolute zero (0° K). Since the temperature is so low, atoms lose energy and then clump/group together to form one “superatom”. These grouped together atoms act as one single atom, becoming completely identical: same location, characteristics, etc.. Unlike a plasma, the Bose-Einstein Condensate state of matter involves the atoms being extremely cold and having very little energy. Also, BECs are only made in laboratories because they require such
Plasma is the fourth state of matter. It’s a fluid, gas-like substance that consists of a mixture of free electrons, neutral atoms, and charged ions. It is made up of both positively and negatively charged particles, which contributes to plasma’s ability to react to and create electromagnetic forces. Since they create electromagnetic forces, the particles in plasma must move collectively or in an organized fashion. The particles in a plasma are usually extremely hot and rapid-moving. Many man-made plasmas are a part of our everyday lives, such as neon signs and even fluorescent light bulbs, but there are also naturally-occurring plasmas. Plasma particles from the sun are pulled near the magnetic poles, and then energize the particles in the upper atmosphere to produce the “Northern Lights”. Another example of a natural plasma is the stars or Sun, both of which are made up of plasma. One of the lesser-known states of matter is the Bose-Einstein Condensate. In this state, atoms have very little energy and are extremely cold, due to the fact that BECs occur near a temperature just above absolute zero (0° K). Since the temperature is so low, atoms lose energy and then clump/group together to form one “superatom”. These grouped together atoms act as one single atom, becoming completely identical: same location, characteristics, etc.. Unlike a plasma, the Bose-Einstein Condensate state of matter involves the atoms being extremely cold and having very little energy. Also, BECs are only made in laboratories because they require such